Semantic XHTML: Difference between revisions
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== Definition == | == Definition == | ||
* {{quotation | XHTML is built on XML, and thus XHTML-based formats can be used not only for convenient display presentation, but also for general-purpose data exchange. In many ways, XHTML-based formats exemplify the best of both HTML and XML worlds. However, when building XHTML-based formats, it helps to have a guiding set of principles.}} ([http://microformats.org/wiki/SemanticXHTMLDesignPrinciples Semantic XHTML Design Principles], retrieved 15: | * {{quotation | XHTML is built on XML, and thus XHTML-based formats can be used not only for convenient display presentation, but also for general-purpose data exchange. In many ways, XHTML-based formats exemplify the best of both HTML and XML worlds. However, when building XHTML-based formats, it helps to have a guiding set of principles.}} ([http://microformats.org/wiki/SemanticXHTMLDesignPrinciples Semantic XHTML Design Principles], retrieved 15:38, 12 April 2007 (MEST)) | ||
See also: [[Microformat]]s (for a global perspective) and [[semantic web]] for an opposite, more heavy approach. | See also: [[Microformat]]s (for a global perspective) and [[semantic web]] for an opposite, more heavy approach. | ||
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# Reuse schema (names, objects, properties, values, types, hierarchies, constraints) as much as possiblefrom pre-existing, established, well-supported standards by reference. (and don't restate constraints expressed in the source standard, informative mentions are ok). | # Reuse schema (names, objects, properties, values, types, hierarchies, constraints) as much as possiblefrom pre-existing, established, well-supported standards by reference. (and don't restate constraints expressed in the source standard, informative mentions are ok). | ||
# Use the most accurately precise semantic XHTML building block for each object. E.g. use the "address" tag for a contact information, "h2" for a section title. | # Use the most accurately precise semantic XHTML building block for each object. E.g. use the "address" tag for a contact information, "h2" for a section title. | ||
# Otherwise use a generic structural element (e.g. | # Otherwise use a generic structural element (e.g. ''span'' or ''div''), or the appropriate contextual element (e.g. an ''li'' inside a ''ul'' or ''ol''). | ||
# Base class names on the original schema. | # Base class names on the original schema. | ||
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=== Simple example === | === Simple example === | ||
Source: [http://www.tantek.com/presentations/2004etech/realworldsemanticspres.html Real world semantics], retrieved 15: | Source: [http://www.tantek.com/presentations/2004etech/realworldsemanticspres.html Real world semantics], retrieved 15:38, 12 April 2007 (MEST). | ||
<table border="1"> | <table border="1"> | ||
Revision as of 15:38, 12 April 2007
Definition
- “XHTML is built on XML, and thus XHTML-based formats can be used not only for convenient display presentation, but also for general-purpose data exchange. In many ways, XHTML-based formats exemplify the best of both HTML and XML worlds. However, when building XHTML-based formats, it helps to have a guiding set of principles.” (Semantic XHTML Design Principles, retrieved 15:38, 12 April 2007 (MEST))
See also: Microformats (for a global perspective) and semantic web for an opposite, more heavy approach.
Design Principles
According to Semantic XHTML Design Principles, the design principles (reproduced in simplified form here) are:
- Reuse schema (names, objects, properties, values, types, hierarchies, constraints) as much as possiblefrom pre-existing, established, well-supported standards by reference. (and don't restate constraints expressed in the source standard, informative mentions are ok).
- Use the most accurately precise semantic XHTML building block for each object. E.g. use the "address" tag for a contact information, "h2" for a section title.
- Otherwise use a generic structural element (e.g. span or div), or the appropriate contextual element (e.g. an li inside a ul or ol).
- Base class names on the original schema.
Microformats use semantic XHTML, but not all uses of semantic XHTML are microformats.
Simple example
Source: Real world semantics, retrieved 15:38, 12 April 2007 (MEST).
| presentational | semantic |
|---|---|
<code class="bad"><br></code> | <code><p></code> |
<code class="bad"><font></code> | <code><h1>,<h2>,<h3></code> |
<code class="bad"><i>,<b></code> | <code><em>,<strong></code> |
Links
- Microformats Wiki (best resource)
- Lossless XHTML (blog entry by Bill Humphries)
- The Elements of Meaningful XHTML. Slides by Tantek Çelik, Chief Technologist Technorati
- Real world semantics by Tantek çelik and Kevin Mar, slides 2004